世界各国

Cameroon

Introduction to Cameroon

The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy.

Government

Capital:

Yaounde

Independence:

1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)

Economy

Economy overview:

Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. International oil and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the economy.

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $27.75 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 42.6%
industry: 19.8%
services: 37.6% (2004 est.)

Agriculture products:

coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber

Industries:

petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber

Transportation

Waterways:

navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy season (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 90 km; liquid petroleum gas 9 km; oil 1,124 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 169,593 GRT/357,023 DWT
by type: petroleum tanker 1 (2003 est.)

Airports:

47 (2003 est.)